[CF-metadata] standard names linked to melt ponds on sea ice

From: Thomas Lavergne <t.lavergne>
Date: Mon, 3 Feb 2014 12:14:45 +0000 (UTC)

Dear all,

During early summer, especially in the Arctic, melt water ponds form on top of sea ice. Seen from above, there are thus 3 types of surfaces: "sea ice", "melt ponds", "ocean water" (in between the ice floes). Seen from below, there are only 2 area types: "sea ice", and "ocean water".

In my understanding, sea_ice_area_fraction refers to sea ice concentration as seen "from below" (where area(ice)+area(ocean water) = area(cell)).

Particularly, adding melt water in ponds on top of sea ice (where area(ice)+area(melt ponds)+area(ocean water)=area(cell)) does not modify the ice concentration, hence the sea_ice_area_fraction.

Is that correct?

In any case, I would like your advice for standardized naming of:

a new area type for melt ponds. Should it be "melt_pond" or "melt_water_pond", or should it specify that this is on top of sea ice "melt_water_pond_at_top_of_sea_ice".

"melt pond area fraction": area(melt ponds)/(area(melt ponds)+area(ocean water)+area(sea ice)). "melt_pond_at_top_of_sea_ice_area_fraction"?

"melt pond free sea ice area fraction": area(sea ice)/(area(melt ponds)+area(ocean water)+area(sea ice)). "melt_pond_free_sea_ice_area_fraction"?

I would need these names for better defining upcoming satellite products of ice concentration and melt pond area fraction.


Thanks in advance for your help,
Thomas
Received on Mon Feb 03 2014 - 05:14:45 GMT